Dunwoody residents and families in need will have the opportunity to pick up non-perishable food items during Dunwoody United Methodist Church’s Packages of Hope Program Feb. 22.

The program, which began in January, will continue monthly and run from 9 to 11 a.m. in the church at 1548 Mount Vernon Road.

Susan Anderson, director of member involvement at the church, said the idea for the program came from the Rev. Wiley Stephens.

“We already had an active outreach program at our church and we wanted to continue to strive to serve community members who are struggling,” Anderson said. “Giving food to hungry people touches the heart of all of us who have more than we need.”

She said one of the unique parts of the program is that recipients do not have to qualify for the program.

“We’re not asking people to prove their need — our packages of hope are available to any residents who feel they could benefit from these food items and are experiencing a difficult economic situation,” Anderson said.

Non-perishable food items, including canned goods, are collected through the Feed the Hungry Program of Atlanta-based church Action Ministries.

“Our church members went to their packaging warehouse to pack boxes for our Martin Luther King Day of Service Project and we then brought 200 boxes back to distribute in our community at our first Packages of Hope distribution on Jan. 25,” Anderson said.

Each package contains enough food to feed a family of four for several days.

Before the packages are distributed, Anderson said the church invites those in need come in for fellowship and to learn more about the program.

“We open the doors to our church and invite those who come in to have coffee and pastries,” she said.

“We want to give people hope and show that their neighbors care.”

Those interested in donating food items or volunteering can contact Anderson at susan.anderson@dunwoodyumc.org or visit www.actionministeries.net.

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